Keeping my temper in check by the skin of my teeth, I gritted out, “If we're resorting to insults, I'm going to start calling you a lot worse than old man.”

After the last day of stress, exhaustion, pain, and fear, I was absolutely ready to call it quits. Only my deal with Karma kept me here, but if her husband kept this up, not even that would hold out.

I wanted to help, but I wasn't a masochist.

I refused to put up with belittling insults from the one I was supposed to be working with. Anger and exhaustion warred through me, but before I could say anything else, Time raised a hand, pinching the bridge of his nose with the other.

“It was not an insult, but a statement of fact. You have no worldly experience from here, and magic is foreign to you. It was unrealistic to expect you to cast that spell without some guidance, and for that, you have my apologies.”

My anger deflated like a balloon. His genuine apology–and I'd heard enough fake ones to spot them–soothed the building rage in a blink.

I couldn't snarl at him too much since I'd been the one to use the ‘expecting an infant to run’ line. Rubbing a hand over my face, I relaxed. “Thanks, and I'm sorry for shouting. It's been…one hell of a day.”

That deserved the understatement of the year award.

Time nodded, the tense line of his shoulders relaxing as his hands fell to his sides. “It has indeed, so let us finish this and put it behind us.”

He turned to partially face Silas, his eyes taking on a cold, calculating glint. “Unfortunately, there is no time to come up with a new plan. Anyone you touch will unfreeze with us, so taking their weapon is…unwise.”

I raised a curious eyebrow to that. “You pushed down Silas's blade before the rewind and he stayed frozen. Why is that different?”

Time grunted, the exhaustion around him seemingly doubling in weight as his shoulders slumped forward. “It takes more power to keep a person frozen while I touch them. Unfortunately, it requires more than I have available, after all I've already used today. Magic is our only option.”

My stomach twisted. “So I'm supposed to use Fast Forward and pray it works how it should?” It could attach to my arm again, or something even worse. What if it dug into my chest?

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

I wouldn't have time to try and fix it. Besides, who's to say it wouldn't keep going until there was nothing left of me but dust?

A chill worked up my spine and Time sighed. “My power is overwhelming; you are wise to be wary of it. But you will not do this alone. I will guide you through casting Fast Forward.”

Relief brushed through me, there and gone in a heartbeat as another issue occurred to me. “I know this is necessary, but this power... it killed hundreds and took my arm. What if I can’t control it? What if I hurt more people?"

Silas was going to die, there was no way around it. But what about everyone else? Dominicus and the rabbit hybrid were right next to Silas. Who's to say I wouldn't kill them too? The range on Fast Forward was unknown, and the last thing I wanted was to kill innocents while aiming for Silas.

The now-destroyed carpet and tapestry didn't inspire confidence in my aim.

Time's expression softened. "I will prevent the power from attaching to anyone but the king, yourself included. As for your earlier concern about not wanting to learn offensive magic…that won't be possible.”

I grimaced and sucked in a breath to argue, but he cut me off, voice firm though not cruel. “Causing others harm is not in your nature, and there is no shame in that. But sometimes, to protect and preserve life, we must pick up a weapon and defend it. The power you fear is indeed formidable, but it is also a tool—a means to an end." He paused, allowing that to sink in before continuing.

"Taking a life should never be done lightly, but this man,” he waved to Silas, “has caused the death and suffering of thousands. This is not about ending a life, but ending a reign of terror; saving countless others from the future ruin he may bring. There will be others like him in your quest, and you will need to handle them accordingly.”

That didn't mean I had to like it…

He nodded. “I would be concerned if you took joy from killing. As it stands, your intention is not to harm, but to protect. Hold onto that and push forward. For the girl you tried to save, for the thousands who will die in this apocalypse if we cannot stop it, and for Karma.”

Flashes of her, curled up and snoring in her bed, wrapped tight around my heart and squeezed.

She'd said herself that my oath to do no harm would have to go; I'd just thought she was joking. I should have known better. In a world torn apart by war, with an apocalypse all but banging down the door, I wasn't going to save anyone without fighting.

I'd spare who I could and do my best to help the innocents caught in the crossfire. That was all anyone could ask for in this situation.

Time smiled, a hint of approval clear. "You are not alone in this, though it may feel otherwise. I am here. We will do this." Then he turned to Silas, his eyes fiery. “My power is fading quickly. Prepare yourself. I'll guide you through the spell once time is moving again.”

Then he disappeared, his presence settling like a hand on my shoulder. A reminder that I wasn't alone.

I took a deep breath and focused on Silas, shaking off the dregs of uncertainty still clinging to me. He was right, we would do this. One way, or another.